It's a Happy Kuji prize draw sold at Japanese convenience stores, at 880 yen a ticket, about $6. The 16-inch balletcore Hello Kitty plush goes only to whoever buys a store's last ticket.
Sanrio's newest balletcore collection, starring Hello Kitty and nine friends in ribbons and frills, goes on sale Friday, Dec. 4. It's Japan-only, and you can't just grab the piece you want off a shelf.
The Sanrio characters Holiday Collection 2026 is a Happy Kuji, a Japanese prize draw. Each ticket costs 880 yen, about $6, Essential Japan reported Saturday, Nov. 7. Every ticket wins something. You just don't know what until you pull it.
Happy Kuji's official page lists in-store sales only, at chains including FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop, Ito-Yokado and Don Quijote, plus some bookstores and hobby shops. It doesn't list online sales or any stores outside Japan.
Happy Kuji describes the outfits as balletcore, with ribbons and frills. Think pink bows, satin and a lot of tulle energy.
The top two prizes are 16-inch plush. A Kuromi in a navy and pink ballet outfit is the Special Prize. A matching Hello Kitty is the Last Prize, which goes to whoever buys the final ticket at each store.
What's in the Sanrio characters Holiday Collection 2026?
Ten characters star: Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, My Melody, Kuromi, Hangyodon, Pompompurin, My Sweet Piano, Little Twin Stars and Wish Me Mell. Here are the prize tiers, per Happy Kuji:
Special Prize: BIG Kuromi plush, about 16 inches
A Prize: 10 character figures, about 2 to 3.5 inches tall, with stands
B Prize: 5 plush charms: Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, Kuromi and Wish Me Mell
C Prize: fur pochettes, or small shoulder bags, in Hello Kitty or Kuromi
D Prize: pearl straps in Cinnamoroll or Pompompurin
E Prize: satin pouches, 4 designs
F Prize: accessory trays, 4 designs
G Prize: ribbon charms, one for each of the 10 characters
H Prize: rubber coasters, cable bands and hair ties, 12 designs
I Prize: can badge sets with character pairs, like My Melody and Kuromi
J Prize: mini file and sticker sets, 5 designs
Last Prize: BIG Hello Kitty plush, about 16 inches
Winners pick their design for prizes C through J. The figures and plush charms are random. Our math: that's 61 designs across 12 prize tiers.
Can you buy the Sanrio balletcore collection in the U.S.?
Not directly. Happy Kuji lists only stores in Japan and no online sales. Here's how U.S. fans could still get pieces:
Go to Japan. Anyone heading to Tokyo Disney Resort in December could look for it at a FamilyMart or Lawson. Stock and timing vary by store, and Happy Kuji asks shoppers not to call stores about it.
Shop resale. Prizes from earlier Happy Kuji Sanrio sets, like 2024's Halloween figures, have turned up on eBay. Expect to pay more than 880 yen, plus shipping from Japan.
Try a Japan export shop. Shops that ship Sanrio Japan goods overseas, like VeryGoods.JP, carried Sanrio's 2025 balletcore plush mascots, a different line, for about $30 plus shipping. There's no word on whether any will carry this set.
What is a Happy Kuji?
Happy Kuji is a prize draw brand run by Sunny Side Up, Essential Japan reported. It works like Bandai Spirits' Ichiban Kuji: you pay per ticket, every ticket wins and prizes are ranked by letter. We broke down how that works when [Ichiban Kuji Disney Princess figures](https://news.piratesandprincesses.net/p/ichiban-kuji-disney-princess-figures) dropped in September.
A bonus "Happy Challenge" campaign will let buyers use their ticket stubs for an extra prize. Happy Kuji says details are coming soon.
Has Sanrio done balletcore before?
Yes, more than once. Essential Japan has tracked the trend:
May 2025: T's Factory balletcore goods with Kuromi, My Melody, Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll, including a 1,848 yen plush mascot
June 2025: a balletcore Sanrio pop-up shop at Don Quijote stores across Japan
August 2025: Takara Tomy Arts' Ballet Ribbon Figure capsule toys, at 300 yen a play
Kuromi in a tutu is clearly not a one-off.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Essential Japan (Nov. 7, 2026), the collection, prize tiers, ticket price, store chains and operator
Happy Kuji (Nov. 7, 2026), the Dec. 4 date, price, full prize list, store list and lack of online sales
Essential Japan (May 26, June 23 and Aug. 11, 2025), earlier Sanrio balletcore releases
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.